Rare Roman armour goes on permanent display at the National Museum of Scotland

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Dating from the middle of the second century, the brass arm guard is the most intact example of its kind and one of only three known from the whole Roman Empire. The armour was discovered in over 100 pieces at the site of the Trimontium fort near Melrose in 1906. It is in remarkably good condition, with remnants of leather straps still attached to the metal.

Conservators in Edinburgh spent weeks rebuilding the arm guard earlier this year in preparation for its loan to the British Museum’s exhibition Legion: Life in the Roman Army. Today [Wednesday 16 October] it went on permanent display in the Early People gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.

Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistoric & Roman Archaeology at National Museums Scotland, said:

“This is a rare and special object, and I’m delighted that it is now on permanent display in the National Museum of Scotland for our visitors to enjoy. Brass armour like this would have been expensive and would have acted as both a means of protection and an eye-catching status symbol. The arm guard is displayed alongside a well-preserved section of iron body armour uncovered in the same building of the fort, and together they offer a tantalising glimpse into the life of a legionary in Roman Scotland.”

The fragments have been in National Museums Scotland’s collection for over a century. Before being fully reconstructed, the upper section was on display in the National Museum of Scotland for 25 years, with the lower section loaned to the Trimontium Museum and dozens of fragments stored at the National Museums Collection Centre.

The arm guard stretches down from the shoulder and ends in a thin square of metal that would have protected the wearer’s hand, a design that may have been inspired by the equipment worn by gladiators fighting in the arena. Experts initially believed it would have been body armour, and it was later thought to be a thigh guard for a cavalryman. It is only in recent years that its true function has been understood.